Freedom Of Information Law (FOIL) Clinic

Description:

For the month of March, the Flying Squirrel Community Space is hosting a Freedom Of Information Law (FOIL) Clinic as a practical skill set for activists. After a brief introduction to New York State (NYS) Freedom Of Information Law (FOIL), we'll review what FOIL requests look like and how to submit them! What is FOIL? FOIL is the law that allows members of the public to access records of governmental agencies. So bring your questions for your favorite government agency! (They don't have to be about police!)

Every New York State or municipal department, board, bureau, division, commission, committee, public authority, public corporation, council, office or other governmental entity performing a governmental or proprietary function is subject to FOIL. Each of those governmental entities is an âagency.â

For this clinic, we'll be looking at NYS and specifically we'll focus on:
-A brief history of FOIL in NYS
-The law as its written
-the general process